Childhood Allergy Symptoms and Treatments

Could your little one be dealing with allergies?

Just like adults, children and babies can develop allergies to things they are exposed to, from certain foods and medications to pet dander, mold, and outdoor elements. So, how do you know when your child is dealing with an allergy and when you should see one of our Grayslake, IL, pediatricians for care?

Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms take many shapes and forms, depending on the type of allergy your child has—for example, your child won’t experience itchy, red eyes from a food allergy but they may experience stomach pains or vomiting. With this in mind, the most common allergy symptoms include,

• Hives or a rash
• Nasal issues (sneezing; runny or stuffed nose)
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Upset gastrointestinal (this includes abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea)

Common Childhood Allergies

You can categorize the most common childhood allergies into four different types:

• Outdoor: this includes outside threats from insect stings to pollen
• Indoor: this includes materials present likely inside houses such as dust to pet dander
• Irritants: this includes triggers such as perfume and cigarette smoke that irritate all people, not just those who have allergic reactions, though they can disproportionately affect certain individuals
• Food: commonly includes shellfish, peanuts, and products containing lactose

If you believe that your child might have an allergy, it is a good idea to make an appointment with your Grayslake, IL, children’s doctor to see what’s going on. Before your appointment, track the symptoms they are experiencing and when they experience them. This can help us get a better idea of whether there is an allergy and what the trigger might be if there is.

Allergy Treatments

The medication or treatments we offer to help your child manage their allergy symptoms will depend on the type and severity of the allergy. Not all allergies are treated the same; for example, children with food allergies should avoid those foods altogether while those that are allergic to pet dander may consider medication. Alert your child’s school to their allergies, as well.

Sometimes an over-the-counter antihistamine like Benadryl will work well for your little one, but if your child’s allergy symptoms don’t respond to simple over-the-counter medications then we can prescribe a stronger medication. Common allergy medications include:

• Steroid nasal sprays
• Eye drops
• Decongestants

If your child’s allergy symptoms are life-threatening, then they may be given a norepinephrine injection (EpiPen) to carry with them in case of an emergency. Sometimes your child’s doctor may recommend immunotherapy, or allergy shots, which can help your child’s body slowly build up an immunity to the allergen over time.

Contact Us Today!

We know that seeing your little one suffer from allergies can be tough, which is why the medical team here at Mundelein Pediatrics is here to help. We offer different allergy treatment options catering to your child’s specific symptoms and needs. Just call our Grayslake office at (847) 548-7337 and find out how we can help you!